High kick, Nina silently practiced in Ryu’s dojo. She wore a white tank top and short black tights. Round house kick, she had devoted herself to her training since that night on the balcony. Tiger stance, what was he thinking anyway? Why had he kissed her? She was bent on revenge and he was a sulking widower with two small children to raise. What could he get out of kissing her? That wasn’t going to make her change her mind about her revenge and it was definitely not going to give his children a new mother. Ax kick, just as she performed the ax kick a few students entered the spacious dojo. “Good morning” They said simultaneously as they bowed. Nina returned their formality, as the students entered another training room, then eyeing Reiiji playing on a small bench near the entrance. She’d forgotten that the kids had tagged along when she’d left the house, but where was Muro. She glanced at the area in front of her and then turned and realized he’d been imitating her all along. She smiled as she bent down and patted his head.
“Were you training with me?” She questioned as she saw his stance. The small, sweaty, boy only nodded in acknowledgement. Nina only chuckled, “My training might be too intense for you Muro.”
“Nuh uh” He let out quickly as if insulted. “I twain wit my daddy.”
“Oh really?” Nina questioned as this sparked her interest. “And what did you learn by training with your daddy?” Just as she asked the question the small boy delivered a handful of routines, quickly she recognized them. Maybe not brutes, but well gosh . . . . This kids’ following in his father’s footsteps. “Not bad.”
“Of course not, he’s my son after all” A voice called out from behind them, that had Nina’s heart pounding as she straightened and turned. Ryu stood, with Reiiji in his arms, at the entrance of the training room.
“At three-years-old I didn’t expect him to be so good.” She let out as she approached Ryu. “It just surprised me.”
“Well, what can I say? The kid’s got a knack for it, they both do.” He said as he pampered his youngest son. “How come you’re here so early?”
“Couldn’t sleep.” She said as she ran her fingers through Reiiji’s dark hair. “The kids were already awake.” She said as her gaze drifted from Reiiji to Ryu. He’d been staring at her in an odd way all week; she wasn’t about to ask him why so she began to walk towards Muro once more.
“Let’s get lunch,” Ryu offered as he placed Reiiji on the ground once more.
“You boys go ahead without me.” Nina said as she prepared her stance.
“Don’t be a bore, come with us.”
“If you’ve forgotten, I’m training for a cause. Plus, all that extra fat I’ll gain from lunch will only slow me down.” Doing a side stance she turned her back to Ryu. Then she felt his breath at the back of her neck.
“I can find ways to-“ She shoved her elbow into his stomach before he could utter another word. “Oomph, savage.” He said as he held his stomach and pretended to be in excruciating pain. “Oh, oh it hurts” Collapsing on the floor he continued his act. “Boys, I don’t think I’ll make it.”
“Daddy!” Within seconds the youngsters were at their father’s side. Muro checking his temperature, as he’d seen his father do when someone was sick, while Reiiji rubbed at threatening tears.
“Idiot.” Nina said as she watched him squirm. “Stop exaggerating, you’re scaring the kids” She let out as she placed her hands on her hips.
“Ok” He said as he reached out for the two kids and started to tickle them. He stood, each boy in one of his arms, and smirked at Nina. “Come on, get dressed or the runts get it.”
“Sev us!” Reiiji called out as he hung upside down on the left, his little feet wiggling.
“Paweez!” Muro urged as he was placed on his father’s shoulder. Nina let out a chuckle as Ryu pouted his lips.
“Fine, give me ten minutes.” With that she stepped out of the room, leaving the three alone. Ryu placed each boy on the floor, taking a seat on the floor.
“We’ll be here forever” Both kids chuckled as Ryu messed their hair and embraced them.
----Later that day----
“Not again” Ryu said as he watched from the balcony doors, as Nina trained on the veranda. “You’re going to wear yourself out kid.”
“All that matters is that I get stronger and faster” Nina let out, as she got winded. Stopping for a moment she let her attention fall on him. “What do you want?”
“Dinner.”
“I cooked last night” She let out in protest as she stood lazily.
“I mean it’s cold. I sent the kids out for you two hours ago.”
“I lost track of time.” She said as she brushed her bangs out of her face, she’d have to remember to get a hair cut tomorrow. “Heat it up, I’ll eat in a few.”
“That’s what you said half an hour ago.” Ryu let out as he walked onto the balcony. “You’re coming inside now, even if I have to drag you in myself.” He said, as he stood in front of her.
“You’re being a real pain.” She muttered as she jabbed a finger into his chest.
“It’s either that, or you get sick because you’re not eating.” Ryu took a hold of the finger, than her hand. She felt her body shiver slightly, but didn’t move away.
“Since when are you worried about my health?”
“Since the first day I brought you into my home.”
“Touché” This time she attempted to move away, his grip on her hand only became stronger. “I’m going inside.”
“Yeah, ok. So why does it seem you’ve been using training as an excuse to avoid me even at home?” He questioned as he released her.
“Have not,” with that she walked inside. Ryu rushed after her and grabbed her in the middle of his bedroom. “Hey” Tugging away her arm Nina tried to break free.
“Liar”
“How do you figure that I have to answer you anyway!? I’m not your damn slave. I won’t speak because you want me to.”
“I asked you a simple question Nina.”
“Well, what do you want from me brute?”
“An answer. I kissed you and all you did was walk away from me and avoid me after that. Didn’t you . . . . like it?” Nina sighed, defeated by the sad expression on his face. Here was a man she’d known practically all her adolescent life, a man she’d admired for his skills, a man who’d lost his wife and had been hurting. All he wanted was . . . what did he really want? She’d been asking herself that for sometime now. Though the answer was always there, companionship. Wasn’t he afraid to loose someone else?
“It’s nothing like that,” She let out after a sigh. Slowly, she turned her face away from him. “I mean . . . . you’re obviously looking for something other than friendship. I don’t know if I can give you that, or meet you half way for that matter. You and Ken seem to have been playing the same game, who gets to keep Nina for too long now. All I’m really after is getting revenge for my friend’s death and going to the states before or after getting promoted. Our dreams are not the same Ryu, I don’t think they ever were and because of our past I don’t think I’m any good for you. Just don’t get attached to me again I won’t go through what happened six four years ago again. ”
“I understand that. I mean, until you came around I didn’t think that I would ever stop hurting, but, I’ve fallen for you and little by little having you by my side has begun to heal me. I know that you want other things . . . . I know I have too much baggage for you, but couldn’t you try us . . . me out before you tell me you don’t want me?” He’d released her hand now and reached out to turn her face to him. “How can you know that we’re not something you’d desire?”
“I’m hungry” Nina let out as she walked around him, rubbing at one of her eyes as she exited the room. How could he ask her to leave her dreams for him? It’d been only six months since their lives crossed paths. Ryu was asking too much from her. She heard footsteps behind her as she walked into the living room. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” She said turning around only to spot Reiiji standing a few feet away, with a bear in his arms.
“huh?”
“Nothing kid” She said as he approached her and lifted his arms up to her. She took him into her arms and snuggled him. “Did we wake you?” She asked as he nuzzled her neck and nodded. Would it be that bad to put her dreams aside and stay here a bit longer? Could she leave her calling aside and become a girlfriend or a wife and a mother? Ryu had done it, in a sense, could she? As she walked into the hallway she spotted Ryu at the end, exiting his bedroom. She heard his sigh echo through the hallway before he noticed them. Quickly she looked away and entered the boys’ room. “Try to go back to bed ok?” She asked as she placed Reiiji in his bed and placed the comforter over him. “Want some warm milk?” The boy shook his head as he snuggled his bear. “Alright. Good night.” She kissed his forehead and crossed over to Muro, who was sound asleep.
“Gud nih Nina . . . . Daddy” Reiiji said groggily, alerting Nina to Ryu’s presence.
“Good night runt” Ryu said as Nina walked past him and he closed the door. “I’m sorry” He called out to her as she walked towards the kitchen again. She stopped in her tracks and he saw it as a sign to approach.
“I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want” She said as she walked through the living room, dining room and into the kitchen.
----Some Time Later----
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!” Nina stood in the center of the main training room in Ryu’s dojo. She’d been training for a while now so this time she’d called out one of Ryu’s top students for a fight, and she was kicking butt.
“Shinji, get up you wimp.” One of the students that was observing the fight called out, as the young man struggled.
“Wh-who’re you calling a wimp” He asked as he adjusted his gi and belt and hurled in with a flying round house. Nina caught his foot in her hands, only pushing back slightly and returning to a fighting stance.
“I can easily block your kicks all day, or beat you to a pulp Shinji. You have to do better than that” She said with a smirk as the other students teased at the young man. Shinji launched an aerial attack that shifted over, catching Nina off guard. On her butt Nina cursed under her breath. She wiped the blood off her lip and quickly stood. “Alright, I’ll give you that one” She said as she lunged towards him and started to attack quicker than before. She’d trained enough to know every weakness of the male body. Within moments he was on the floor, struggling more than before. He was bruised in places he didn’t even know existed. A small cough and his blood was on the ground.
“What’s going on here?” Ryu questioned as he approached his students. Spotting Nina amongst the small crowd pissed him off. It meant she was up to no good again. When he got to the center he spotted a few students helping Shinji up. “You ok?” He asked him and then as Shinji nodded Ryu slowly turned to Nina. “What did you do!?” Nina, alarmed, backed away from him as he approached. “You could have killed that kid.”
“Oh shut up” She said crossing her arms and looking away. Within seconds he’d closed the distance between them and had his fingers on her chin. Slowly he turned her face to him. He wiped at the blood and eyed a bruise on her cheekbone.
“Look what he’s done to your face” She grinned, proud of her battle wounds, only to feel awkward as he showed such worry in a room filled with his students. She pushed away and stuck out her tongue.
“As if, I’ll be fine.” She said as everyone returned to his or her training and a few others patched Shinji up. “Worry wart.”
“Stop playing with my students” He said placing a hand on her shoulder as he spoke into her ear. “You can play with me instead next time” Nina could only blush at his words and watched him walk away from her.
“Idiot”
“I heard that” She chuckled as she went off into the dressing room. She didn’t need any more practice though, that was for sure. And she wouldn’t be ‘playing’ anytime soon. She was ready to fight him . . . To fight Vega, that savage and ruthless b*****d that killed Sekime. She’d go to New York after that . . . So tonight she had to say goodbye.
----That Night----
“The kids are in bed.” Nina said as she walked into Ryu’s room, as he was removing his shirt. “And the dishes are clean.” She added as he threw his t-shirt in the hamper. He only nodded in acknowledgement and sat at the edge of his bed. “So uh, I’m going to bed.” She muttered. She couldn’t say goodbye after all, plan b it was.
“You ok?” Ryu asked as he looked over at her in the doorway.
“Tired . . . .” She said with a smile. “I should go pull out the sofa bed”
“Come here” She made her way into the room and around the bed in a shy manner. She stood in front of him, as he looked down at the ground. Could she hold this façade? He looked up at her, his deep blue eyes seemed sad almost. Did he know? Within seconds he had his arms around her waist in an embrace, a childlike gesture one the boys used when they’d have a bad dream.
“Ryu?” She questioned as she ran her hand through his hair, something she’d do to calm to kids down.
“Just let me hold you, just this once” He said as he sighed.
“Ryu . . . .” She nudged at his chin with her thumb until he looked up at her. Instead of finishing her mind seemed to wander as she slip out of his hold a bit and knelt before him. Both her hands were on his cheeks as she drew him in for a kiss. It lasted longer than she had thought. The two poured what seemed to be every ounce of emotion into it. No one fought for dominance as they fed their hunger. Ryu pulled her onto his lap within moments and placed her on the bed, never releasing his embrace or their chaste kiss. His hands wandered her body as he lay above her. She didn’t stop him; she couldn’t for her in her heart all she had wanted was to be his, if only for this night.
----End Chapter 2----
“Were you training with me?” She questioned as she saw his stance. The small, sweaty, boy only nodded in acknowledgement. Nina only chuckled, “My training might be too intense for you Muro.”
“Nuh uh” He let out quickly as if insulted. “I twain wit my daddy.”
“Oh really?” Nina questioned as this sparked her interest. “And what did you learn by training with your daddy?” Just as she asked the question the small boy delivered a handful of routines, quickly she recognized them. Maybe not brutes, but well gosh . . . . This kids’ following in his father’s footsteps. “Not bad.”
“Of course not, he’s my son after all” A voice called out from behind them, that had Nina’s heart pounding as she straightened and turned. Ryu stood, with Reiiji in his arms, at the entrance of the training room.
“At three-years-old I didn’t expect him to be so good.” She let out as she approached Ryu. “It just surprised me.”
“Well, what can I say? The kid’s got a knack for it, they both do.” He said as he pampered his youngest son. “How come you’re here so early?”
“Couldn’t sleep.” She said as she ran her fingers through Reiiji’s dark hair. “The kids were already awake.” She said as her gaze drifted from Reiiji to Ryu. He’d been staring at her in an odd way all week; she wasn’t about to ask him why so she began to walk towards Muro once more.
“Let’s get lunch,” Ryu offered as he placed Reiiji on the ground once more.
“You boys go ahead without me.” Nina said as she prepared her stance.
“Don’t be a bore, come with us.”
“If you’ve forgotten, I’m training for a cause. Plus, all that extra fat I’ll gain from lunch will only slow me down.” Doing a side stance she turned her back to Ryu. Then she felt his breath at the back of her neck.
“I can find ways to-“ She shoved her elbow into his stomach before he could utter another word. “Oomph, savage.” He said as he held his stomach and pretended to be in excruciating pain. “Oh, oh it hurts” Collapsing on the floor he continued his act. “Boys, I don’t think I’ll make it.”
“Daddy!” Within seconds the youngsters were at their father’s side. Muro checking his temperature, as he’d seen his father do when someone was sick, while Reiiji rubbed at threatening tears.
“Idiot.” Nina said as she watched him squirm. “Stop exaggerating, you’re scaring the kids” She let out as she placed her hands on her hips.
“Ok” He said as he reached out for the two kids and started to tickle them. He stood, each boy in one of his arms, and smirked at Nina. “Come on, get dressed or the runts get it.”
“Sev us!” Reiiji called out as he hung upside down on the left, his little feet wiggling.
“Paweez!” Muro urged as he was placed on his father’s shoulder. Nina let out a chuckle as Ryu pouted his lips.
“Fine, give me ten minutes.” With that she stepped out of the room, leaving the three alone. Ryu placed each boy on the floor, taking a seat on the floor.
“We’ll be here forever” Both kids chuckled as Ryu messed their hair and embraced them.
----Later that day----
“Not again” Ryu said as he watched from the balcony doors, as Nina trained on the veranda. “You’re going to wear yourself out kid.”
“All that matters is that I get stronger and faster” Nina let out, as she got winded. Stopping for a moment she let her attention fall on him. “What do you want?”
“Dinner.”
“I cooked last night” She let out in protest as she stood lazily.
“I mean it’s cold. I sent the kids out for you two hours ago.”
“I lost track of time.” She said as she brushed her bangs out of her face, she’d have to remember to get a hair cut tomorrow. “Heat it up, I’ll eat in a few.”
“That’s what you said half an hour ago.” Ryu let out as he walked onto the balcony. “You’re coming inside now, even if I have to drag you in myself.” He said, as he stood in front of her.
“You’re being a real pain.” She muttered as she jabbed a finger into his chest.
“It’s either that, or you get sick because you’re not eating.” Ryu took a hold of the finger, than her hand. She felt her body shiver slightly, but didn’t move away.
“Since when are you worried about my health?”
“Since the first day I brought you into my home.”
“Touché” This time she attempted to move away, his grip on her hand only became stronger. “I’m going inside.”
“Yeah, ok. So why does it seem you’ve been using training as an excuse to avoid me even at home?” He questioned as he released her.
“Have not,” with that she walked inside. Ryu rushed after her and grabbed her in the middle of his bedroom. “Hey” Tugging away her arm Nina tried to break free.
“Liar”
“How do you figure that I have to answer you anyway!? I’m not your damn slave. I won’t speak because you want me to.”
“I asked you a simple question Nina.”
“Well, what do you want from me brute?”
“An answer. I kissed you and all you did was walk away from me and avoid me after that. Didn’t you . . . . like it?” Nina sighed, defeated by the sad expression on his face. Here was a man she’d known practically all her adolescent life, a man she’d admired for his skills, a man who’d lost his wife and had been hurting. All he wanted was . . . what did he really want? She’d been asking herself that for sometime now. Though the answer was always there, companionship. Wasn’t he afraid to loose someone else?
“It’s nothing like that,” She let out after a sigh. Slowly, she turned her face away from him. “I mean . . . . you’re obviously looking for something other than friendship. I don’t know if I can give you that, or meet you half way for that matter. You and Ken seem to have been playing the same game, who gets to keep Nina for too long now. All I’m really after is getting revenge for my friend’s death and going to the states before or after getting promoted. Our dreams are not the same Ryu, I don’t think they ever were and because of our past I don’t think I’m any good for you. Just don’t get attached to me again I won’t go through what happened six four years ago again. ”
“I understand that. I mean, until you came around I didn’t think that I would ever stop hurting, but, I’ve fallen for you and little by little having you by my side has begun to heal me. I know that you want other things . . . . I know I have too much baggage for you, but couldn’t you try us . . . me out before you tell me you don’t want me?” He’d released her hand now and reached out to turn her face to him. “How can you know that we’re not something you’d desire?”
“I’m hungry” Nina let out as she walked around him, rubbing at one of her eyes as she exited the room. How could he ask her to leave her dreams for him? It’d been only six months since their lives crossed paths. Ryu was asking too much from her. She heard footsteps behind her as she walked into the living room. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” She said turning around only to spot Reiiji standing a few feet away, with a bear in his arms.
“huh?”
“Nothing kid” She said as he approached her and lifted his arms up to her. She took him into her arms and snuggled him. “Did we wake you?” She asked as he nuzzled her neck and nodded. Would it be that bad to put her dreams aside and stay here a bit longer? Could she leave her calling aside and become a girlfriend or a wife and a mother? Ryu had done it, in a sense, could she? As she walked into the hallway she spotted Ryu at the end, exiting his bedroom. She heard his sigh echo through the hallway before he noticed them. Quickly she looked away and entered the boys’ room. “Try to go back to bed ok?” She asked as she placed Reiiji in his bed and placed the comforter over him. “Want some warm milk?” The boy shook his head as he snuggled his bear. “Alright. Good night.” She kissed his forehead and crossed over to Muro, who was sound asleep.
“Gud nih Nina . . . . Daddy” Reiiji said groggily, alerting Nina to Ryu’s presence.
“Good night runt” Ryu said as Nina walked past him and he closed the door. “I’m sorry” He called out to her as she walked towards the kitchen again. She stopped in her tracks and he saw it as a sign to approach.
“I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want” She said as she walked through the living room, dining room and into the kitchen.
----Some Time Later----
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!” Nina stood in the center of the main training room in Ryu’s dojo. She’d been training for a while now so this time she’d called out one of Ryu’s top students for a fight, and she was kicking butt.
“Shinji, get up you wimp.” One of the students that was observing the fight called out, as the young man struggled.
“Wh-who’re you calling a wimp” He asked as he adjusted his gi and belt and hurled in with a flying round house. Nina caught his foot in her hands, only pushing back slightly and returning to a fighting stance.
“I can easily block your kicks all day, or beat you to a pulp Shinji. You have to do better than that” She said with a smirk as the other students teased at the young man. Shinji launched an aerial attack that shifted over, catching Nina off guard. On her butt Nina cursed under her breath. She wiped the blood off her lip and quickly stood. “Alright, I’ll give you that one” She said as she lunged towards him and started to attack quicker than before. She’d trained enough to know every weakness of the male body. Within moments he was on the floor, struggling more than before. He was bruised in places he didn’t even know existed. A small cough and his blood was on the ground.
“What’s going on here?” Ryu questioned as he approached his students. Spotting Nina amongst the small crowd pissed him off. It meant she was up to no good again. When he got to the center he spotted a few students helping Shinji up. “You ok?” He asked him and then as Shinji nodded Ryu slowly turned to Nina. “What did you do!?” Nina, alarmed, backed away from him as he approached. “You could have killed that kid.”
“Oh shut up” She said crossing her arms and looking away. Within seconds he’d closed the distance between them and had his fingers on her chin. Slowly he turned her face to him. He wiped at the blood and eyed a bruise on her cheekbone.
“Look what he’s done to your face” She grinned, proud of her battle wounds, only to feel awkward as he showed such worry in a room filled with his students. She pushed away and stuck out her tongue.
“As if, I’ll be fine.” She said as everyone returned to his or her training and a few others patched Shinji up. “Worry wart.”
“Stop playing with my students” He said placing a hand on her shoulder as he spoke into her ear. “You can play with me instead next time” Nina could only blush at his words and watched him walk away from her.
“Idiot”
“I heard that” She chuckled as she went off into the dressing room. She didn’t need any more practice though, that was for sure. And she wouldn’t be ‘playing’ anytime soon. She was ready to fight him . . . To fight Vega, that savage and ruthless b*****d that killed Sekime. She’d go to New York after that . . . So tonight she had to say goodbye.
----That Night----
“The kids are in bed.” Nina said as she walked into Ryu’s room, as he was removing his shirt. “And the dishes are clean.” She added as he threw his t-shirt in the hamper. He only nodded in acknowledgement and sat at the edge of his bed. “So uh, I’m going to bed.” She muttered. She couldn’t say goodbye after all, plan b it was.
“You ok?” Ryu asked as he looked over at her in the doorway.
“Tired . . . .” She said with a smile. “I should go pull out the sofa bed”
“Come here” She made her way into the room and around the bed in a shy manner. She stood in front of him, as he looked down at the ground. Could she hold this façade? He looked up at her, his deep blue eyes seemed sad almost. Did he know? Within seconds he had his arms around her waist in an embrace, a childlike gesture one the boys used when they’d have a bad dream.
“Ryu?” She questioned as she ran her hand through his hair, something she’d do to calm to kids down.
“Just let me hold you, just this once” He said as he sighed.
“Ryu . . . .” She nudged at his chin with her thumb until he looked up at her. Instead of finishing her mind seemed to wander as she slip out of his hold a bit and knelt before him. Both her hands were on his cheeks as she drew him in for a kiss. It lasted longer than she had thought. The two poured what seemed to be every ounce of emotion into it. No one fought for dominance as they fed their hunger. Ryu pulled her onto his lap within moments and placed her on the bed, never releasing his embrace or their chaste kiss. His hands wandered her body as he lay above her. She didn’t stop him; she couldn’t for her in her heart all she had wanted was to be his, if only for this night.
----End Chapter 2----
Community Member